Ulta’s surprise Spring Haul sale started last week, and I’ve been a little surprised by just how good the deals are this year. Until April 15, the retailer is offering up to 40 percent off a treasure trove of Strategist-approved beauty products you’ve seen in our best-in-class roundups, including a dermatologist-recommended night cream, a Baby Foot dupe, a TikTok-famous mascara, and Rio’s all-time favorite makeup brushes. Don’t dillydally, though, since popular items are sure to sell out quickly. Scroll on to see our must-buys, below, or you can check out the rest of what’s on sale by clicking here.
Actor and director Lou Diamond Phillips swears by Kneipp’s bath oil to decompress after a long day. Plus, it turns bathwater into a surprisingly calming teal hue.
I love Tanologist’s mousse for a subtle, easy-to-apply color, but am intrigued by the brand’s tanning mist since it’s safe to spritz on your body and face.
CeraVe’s dermatologist-beloved face cream is a Strategist best seller month after month. It’s formulated with ceramides and hyaluronic acid that lock in moisture, and it works on a variety of skin types, even those with eczema.
Another Strategist best seller is this night cream, which we named the overall best in its category. Several dermatologists we spoke to said it delivers comparable results to much more expensive options and is packed with hydrating ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid.
The best (less expensive) moisturizer for mature skin experiencing mild dryness is the Vichy Aqualia Thermal cream. It’s packed humectants (like hyaluronic acid) and emollients (like shea butter) that attract and lock in moisture.
Lano’s Coconutter hand cream is our pick for very dry hands. It uses triple the amount of lanolin normally found in lotions, as well as vitamin E and shea butter — but leaves “absolutely zero residue,” says beauty expert Dawn Davis, “and somehow lasts through handwashing.”
La Roche Posay’s vitamin C serum is our pick for acne-prone skin, as it’s formulated with salicylic acid, which helps to unclog pores and prevent future breakouts. It also contains neurosensine, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid to soothe and hydrate skin.
If you’re struggling with cystic acne, try adding this dermatologist-recommended gel cleanser to your routine. Dr. Hope Mitchell, the founder of Ohio-based Mitchell Dermatology, likes that it’s lipophilic, which means it “concentrates on sebaceous-gland areas” to dissolve excess oil from the skin.
Model Yumi Nu buys this tinted lip balm by Burt’s Bees in bulk and recommends it to all her makeup artists.
And for something with sun protection, several dermatologists recommend this SPF-30 moisturizer for both mature and sensitive skin.
For an at-home gel-polish removal, here’s nourishing cuticle oil to treat traumatized nail beds.
Last year, Strategist writer Latifah Miles came across Sugardoh’s at-home sugaring kit, which she found to be a gentler alternative to waxing. The results were “undeniable,” and she says she had never seen her skin “so hairless and free of irritation.”
Bio-Oil is loved by celebrities and Strategist staffers alike (myself included) for its skin-smoothing and even blemish-reducing properties. After my dermatologist prescribed me a 15 percent azelaic acid gel for my rosacea, this is the only moisturizer that would soothe my skin.
Pixi’s entire line of cruelty-free makeup and skin care is 30 percent off, including products from its collaboration with Hello Kitty. The brand’s cult-favorite Glow Tonic is formulated with glycolic acid to gently exfoliate and brighten, while aloe vera, ginseng, and botanical extracts soothe skin — and it comes with this cute lid.
Rio says that Megababe’s natural deodorant will make your sweat “smell like literal roses.”
Flip-flop season is right around the corner, and Babyfoot — the miracle foot exfoliator we’ve been raving about since 2016 — is 25 percent off.
Having tried Baby Foot, I can confidently say these heel-smoothing booties from Tonymoly are a much cheaper dupe.
Trusty and affordable, Real Techniques makes Rio’s all-time favorite makeup brushes. The kit includes four brushes and a makeup sponge for seamless buffing and blending.
Touchland’s aesthetically pleasing hand-sanitizing misters are 25 percent off. Unlike gel sanitizers, the mist doesn’t leave behind any tacky film or dry out cuticles, and it comes in nine pleasant scents.
Rio recommends this Glossier Skin Tint–like foundation for a natural, light-coverage look. It contains ingredients like glycerin, aloe extract, and coconut milk to help keep skin “dewy and hydrated.”
Vlogger Michelle Choi; the Cut’s former beauty director, Kathleen Hou; and Rio have all raved about this cleansing balm, which we named one of the best K-beauty cleansers. “The balm does a great job of melting down all the oil and dirt stuck in the pores and keeps them clean,” says Choi.
For those looking to dabble with colorful eye makeup, About Face’s popular matte eye paints are 30 percent off and come in 26 colors, from neon green and sky blue to chocolate brown and greige.
We’re fans of Coola’s sunscreen, especially if you have dry skin. Dermatologist Dr. Marnie Nussbaum says “it has a lot of antioxidants” — including aloe juice, grape-seed oil, and other plant-based moisturizers — “so it helps the skin repair itself.”
Five waxing specialists we spoke to named this as key to combating razor bumps and burn. It’s specifically formulated for moisturizing pubic hair and skin, and it contains several non-irritating antiseptic and anti-microbial ingredients, like grape-seed, jojoba, and tea-tree oils, to keep skin smooth.
You’ve no doubt seen the slim pink tube that is the Sky High mascara from Maybelline making an appearance in makeup tutorials across TikTok this past year. Reviewers say it lives up to the hype and lengthens lashes without becoming clumpy.
If you have sensitive skin, Bondi’s self-tan foaming water is the way to go. It’s colorless, doesn’t contain fragrance, and is formulated with skin-care ingredients — like vitamin C, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid — to help hydrate and prevent itchiness.
Here’s a multipack of natural-looking false eyelashes from Ardell. The Demi Wispies are a favorite of actress Lana Condor, who says she’s “obsessed” with them — and shared instructions on the most seamless way to put them on with the Cut.
Several travel-size dry shampoos from Batiste are just $8. They’re reliable, heavy-duty, and provide an “instant shot of volume,” according to beauty journalist Ayesha Muttucumaru.
This leave-in conditioner works wonders on curly, textured hair, according to hairstylist Giovanni Vaccaro. It’s “rich and carries weight,” but “this leave-in will have your hair feeling shiny and silky due to shea butter, castor oil, and reparative omegas,” he says.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
